Apparatus for recording and duplicating music-notes.



E. c. WEISSMILLER. APPARATUS FOR RECORDING AND DUPLICATING MUSfC'NOTES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20. I913.

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4 Wm T Eda/a zssmziller E. C. WEISSMILLER.

APPARATUS FOR RECORDING AND DUPLICATING MUSIC NOTES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20 1913.

Patented Nov. 60, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 [Jada/0 6'. Zz'xmzller E. C. WEISSMILLER. APPARATUS FOR RECORDING AND DUPUCATING MUSIC NOTES.

APPIICATION FILED 0011201913.

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EDWARD C. WEISSMILLER, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS FOR RECORDING AND DUPLICA'IING MUSIC-NOTES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 30, 1915.

Application filed October 20, 1913. Serial No. 796,359.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that MILLER, a citizen of the United States, re: siding at Los Angeles, inthe county of Los Angeles and State of California, have mvented new and useful Apparatus for Becording and Duplicating Music-Notes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for perforating master paper rolls or records for piano players and the like. An object of this invention is to provide means whereby it will be possible to produce from piano players and the like a musical production approaching, than heretofore, theactual original production of the pianist, and in carrying out the invention I combine, as a single apparatus or machine, a piano and other elements operatively connected operation of tio-ns produced in the paper roll or record.

An object of this invention is to provide efficient switch mechanisms that will permit reproduction of several classes of music effects. The socalled thundering effect brought out by the piano, as by holding down the loud pedal and repeatedly vibrating a number of keys, has heretofore been reproduced in player pianos only in a roundabout manner and with great difiiculty. Difficulty has also been experienced when attempting to reproduce sustained notes.

This invention provides switch mechanisms that will with facility not only permit the reproduction of simple effects, but also the said thundering effectsand sustained notes. .& further provide perforating punches that operate direct, the actuating mechanisms for same being such that very rapid strokes can be made, without in any way encumbering the apparatus.

It is a still further object of the inven-.

tion to provide an actuating mechanism for the punch, that will permit forcible strokes with high velocity, and thus insure a positive cutting without danger of tearingthe record sheets.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a mechanism for efficiently withdrawing the punches after every stroke that it makes, no matter how rapid the strokes may be.

I, EDWARD C. Weiss-- in a higher degree therewith so that thethe piano keys by the pianist will be accurately expressed by the perforaobject of this invention is to One particular object of the invention is to provide feeding means whereby thepaper may be fed through the perforating mech- "anism by drawing rather than by driving it through. There are inherent advantages in drawing out the paper sheets as compared with feeding them forward. For instance, the pa er sheet can thus be tightly wound up on t e finished roll without attention on the part of the operator, whereas when the sheet is fed forward, considerable adjustment and care are required. In the perforating mechanisms heretofore used, the paper sheet could not be drawn out in this manner, without danger of tearing the sheets by collision with the'punch. The positive and rapid releasing mechanism provided in this invention. retracts the punches so positively and quickly thatthe tearing of the sheet by the action of the apparatus is absolutely impossible.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the tempo of the original performance will be maintained throughout the reproduction, and in attaining this object means are provided whereby the paper may be drawn onto a roll which is actuated at an equal constant rate of speed.

Obviously, when the roll of paper is at its start on the mandrel or roller it will have a comparatively small diameter and will gradually increase in diameter asthe paper is drawn through the perforating mechanism and Wound up. By this arrangement. the

tages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the subj oined detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof. The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 is a. diagrammatic view in elevation showing a perforating machine constructed in accordance with this invention lot) and connected to a piano. Fig. 2 is an en larged detail in sectionon line as -m Fig. 1, showing a switch'mechanism in a position of rest. Fig. 3 is a similar section with a portion of the piano key broken away, this section illustrating the mechanism when the key is depressed and the switch mechanism is in connecting position. Figl4 is'a rear elevation of the switch mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the perforating machine; the supporting standards being broken away to contract the view. Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the perforating machine; portions of their supporting standards and other parts being broken away; Fig. 7 is an elevation in section on line wfflQFig- 5, the paper on the idle roller being wound in the opposite direction to that shown in Fig.6. Fig. 8 is a broken top plan of the perforating machine. Fig. 9 is a cross section of the female die supporting rod and a female die therein. Figs. 10 and 11 are enlarged side and end elevations respectively of one of the punch-supporting levers. Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentaryview of a portion, of the perforating machine, showing one of the lower punch guides in-section.

In the embodiment shown a piano 1 is connected by wires 2, 3, to a perforating machine 4, the connection being such that when a key 5 of, the piano is depressed a perforation is formed in a sheet, being passed through the perforating machine 4. This is done by connecting each key to a perforating mechanism mounted in the perforating machine which is now to be described. The perforating machine is provided with a suitable'cover 6.

Perforating mechanism.-In a frame having end walls 7, 7, a platform or floor 8 is suitably supported between the end walls.

The frame is supported on front standards 9 and rear st andards 10, which in the present instance are of sufiicient length to support the floor a suitable distance from the ground. The sides of the frame are left open to expose its contents for'reasons that will hereinafter appear. Near the'front side of this frame a secondary frame is situated composed of end members 11, 11 and a crossplate 12, the end members and cross-plate being suitably fastened 'to one another.

Above the cross plate and-approximatelyhalf way up the end members 11, 11, is fixed a lever supporting rod 13. Rearwardly of this lever supporting rod.13 and fixed to the-rear edges of the end members 11, 11, is a slotted plate 14, having a. series of slots 15 opening upward. Projecting rearwardly of thisslotted plate 14 and situated at right angles to, the bottom thereof is a second slotted plate 16 which for convenience will be designated .as the catch guide. The catch guide 16 is fixed on the upper edge of rearwardly projecting members 17, 17, formed integral with the end walls 11, 11, respectively. The slots 18 in the catch guide 16 face rearwardly. Forwardly of this lever rod 13 and near its level is supported an upper perforated bar 19, which we will term the upper punch guide. This upper punch guide 19 is supported at its ends by projections 20, 20, formed integral with the endmembers 11, 11, respectively. Directly below this upper punch guide 19 is located a perforated rod constituting the die support 21 which is fixed at its ends to the lower side of the end members 11, 11,

.and may be additionally secured to the end walls 7, 7. The perforations of rod 21 are formed to receive female dies 22, in alinement with the perforations 23 in the upperpunch guide 19. The die support 21 is positioned at a level below the cross plate 12, On this cross plate lower guide members 24 are adjustably fixed by means of front screws 25 and rear screws 26.- The screw openings provided'in the guide members to receive the screws 25, 26, are sufficiently large to permit movement of the guide members with respect tothe screws 25, 26. By this arrangement the guide members 24 may be moved to the proper position,'and then the screws 25, 26 screwed down tightly to wedge said members against the cross plate 12. The ends of the guide members 24 lap over the front edge ofthe cross plate 12,

and in saidends are provided recesses 27,

one in. each guide. There are as many of these dies as there are perforations. In working operation the recesses 27 in these guides 24 are in alinement with the dies 22 and perforations 23. The die support 21 ispreferably cylindrical in order that the sheet to be perforated may freely pass over the same. An open space through which the paper may pass is provided between the guides 24'and the die support 21.

On the'lever rod 13 are fulcrumed a series of punch supporting-levers 28. These levers are preferably levers of the. first class as illustrated; These levers are spaced from one another by very shallow spacing mem-' bers 29, here shown as annular sheet metal collars. The front arms of these levers are formed to receive and secure on them punches 30, one for each alined set of the .perforations 23, recesses 27 "and female dies 22; thepunches being so-positioned on the levers 28, that each can pass through a perforation' 23, a recess 27 and a die 22. The number ofpunc'hes corresponds to the num ber of key-s of a piano, which are generally eighty-eight in number. The rear arms of the levers 28 are adapted to oscillate in the slots 15of the slotted plate 14, a slot being provided for each lever to act as a guide for the same.

The front arm of each of the levers 28' preferably beveled at its upper edge 31. r The lower edge of the front arm of the lever at its front portion 32 forms right angles with the sides of the lever for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Rearwardly of this front portion 32 the lower edge for a short distance, as at 33, is beveled similarly to the upper edge 31. Each of the punches 30 is provided near its upper end with a dovetailed notch 34 adapted to slide onto the front arm of the lever 28, and secured in place by the beveled edges 31 and 33. The punches 30 are preferably cylindrical, the upper or guide portions thereof being of greater diameter than the lower cutting portion 35, which is of suflicient length to accommodate the stroke and the number of sheets to be cut at one time. The perforations 23 and recesses 27 are of a size to per- I mit the guide portions of the punches to slide the-rein, whereas the dies 22 are of a smaller size, just sufficient to accommodate the cutting portion 35 ofthe punch. For conveniently, and to facilitate, securing these levers in place the levers are each provided with an arc-like recess 36, which will permit removing any single .lever 28 from whatever position on the bar it maybe without the necessity of disturbing the position of the other bars. In removing the lever 28 it is disconnected from its tension spring 37 and dropped below the bar 13, sliding it back out of dove-tail connection with the punch 30, and thereby permitting're moval of a single punch in case of repair or the like. These arc-like recesses are adapted to face upward when the levers are in position on the lever rod 13, and by means thereof, the levers are secured in place between the spacing members 29, with the arc-like .recesses 36 resting against the lower portionof the lever rod 13. 1

The punches may receive their punching force from any suitable source of power, and in the present instance, tension springs are provided for such purpose. Supported on the end members 11, 11 above the lever rod 13 is provided a lever supporting rod 38 on which are pivotally mounted levers 39 having supporting arms projecting rearwardly, and front arms 40. Each of the tension springs 37 is secured at its lower end to the rear arm of one of the levers 28 and secured at its upper end to one of the supporting arms of the levers 39. By this arrangement the tension springs 37 will" exercise an upward force on the rear arm of the lever 28, thereby thrusting down the 1 front armof such lever, andwith it its punch 30. The supporting levers 39 arespaced apart by, shallow annular spacing members 41 and at each end of the supporting rod 38 collars 42 may be provided to secure the supporting levers 39 in proper position. On the upper edges of the end walls 11, 11, is supported a'perforated adjusting bar '43 provided with threaded perforations 44 corresponding in number to the supporting levers 39; and each is provided with an adjusting screw 45, the lower "end of which is adapted to abut against the front arm 40 of its supporting levers 39, thus to permit adjusting the tension of the spring 37, and consequently the force of the stroke.

The catch mcchcnis-m.-Catch mechanism is provided to maintain the punches in raised idle position. A catch lever supporting rod 46 is supported by the projections 17 17 ,.on theend members 11, 11. On this supporting rod'46 a series of catch levers 47 are fulcrumed, beingspaced from one another by shallow spacers 48. The upper arm of each lever 47 operates in a slot 18provided in the catch plate guide 16. Near the lower rear ends of the projections 17, 17, is supported a rod 49 which is so positioned that a series of tension springs 50' may be connected to it, one for each catch lever 47; each spring 50 being connected at one end to the rod 49, and at its other end to the lower arm of the catch lever 47, so that the upper arm will normally have a forward thrust. The catch levers 47 are so positioned that a catch lever is opposite to each of the punch levers 2S, and eachcatch lever is normally held forward by the force of its spring 50, so that it will normally engage the rear arm ofit's lever 28. The upper arm of each of the catch levers 47 is provided with a recess on its front edge to form a catch projection 51, so that when the upper arm of the catch lever 47 engages the rear, arm of the punch lever 28 the catch projection 51 will hook onto the upper edge of the rear armupf the lever 28 and maintain this rear arm in lower position against the force of the tension spring 37, until the upperarm of thecatch lever 47 is drawn rearwardly, to release the rear arm of the lever 28. Itis, of course, understood that the rear arm of the lever 28 will have been thrust downward before the catch projection 51 will hold it.

The retracting -mcchanism..vVhen the upper arm of one of the catch levers 47 is drawn rearwardly, releasing the rear arm of the adjusting punch lever 28, -the punch 30, connected to such punch'le ver 28, will immediately fly downward to perforate the paper being drawn between the die sup- 'port 21 and guides 24. To retract, that is, to again ra se the punch, a positive retract-- mg mechanism is provided. On the outside .circle concentric with said shaft, one end of which projects beyond the supporting bar 52 a suflicient distance to receive a gear 58, that is fixed to and rotates with the shaft 54. The disk members 55 and rods 57 practically constitute a lantern wheel the rods of which are cam faces having gradual lift and sudden release. Said rods therefore constitute peripherally spaced retractors for positively retracting eaeh punch immediately after it has been'dperated; thus allowing a high speed of operation to be maintained with a comparatively low speed of the rotary member.- The'bars 52 are adjustably supported on the end walls 7, 7, to. permit adjustment of the series of rods so as to increase or decrease the length of drop of the punches 30. The gear 58 may be geared up to any source of power whereby to drive the shaft and with it the series ofsemicylindrical rods 57. In the present instance, a stub shaft 59 is secured to one of the side supporting bars 52 on which is rotatably mounteda small pinion 60 to mesh with gear 58. To space the pinion 60 from the supporting bar 52 a suitable spacing collar 61 is provided. Fixed to rotate with the pinion 60 is provided a pulley 62 which may be connected to any source of power, as for instance, the motor 63, shown in Fig. 1. The pulley 62 may be a double pulley, as shown, so as to connect the same to drive other mechanism as in the present instance. This connection is such that the series of rods will be rotated in a direction upward and away from the punches. Furthermore, the shaft 54 is mounted so close to the punches that when it is rotated, and the front arm of a punch lever is in lowered position, the rods in their rotation will strike the lower front portion 32 of the front arm of the lever 28, thus raising said front arm and lowering the rear arm until the catch projection 51, under force of the spring 50, will hook onto the upper surface of the rear arm of lever 28. The upper edge of said rear arm is so inclined that when the catch projection 51 hooks onto the same, by the 56 force ofthe tension spring 50,.the catch projection. 51 will slide up the incline to lower the rear arm still. farther, thereby raising the front arm a corresponding distance, thus removing the lever 28 out of the path of the series of rods 57, so that said lever will not be operated by the lantern wheel until the catch is again released.

The conformation of the semi-cylindrical rods is.for a particular purpose. The semicylind'fiieal rods are secured on the disks 55 with the plane surface facing outward at a slight angle to the peripheries of said disks. This angle is predetermined and is such that whenever during the rotation of the lantern wheel a lever is released so that its front arm enters the path of the semicylindrical rods, the face 32 of such lever will first be acted upon by the cylindric surface, andwill thereby be lifted until the edge of the plane surface reaches the tip of the lever, whereupon the lever is immediately released. If the rods were formed entirely cylindrical, it is obvious this sudden dropping could not be had. This is an important feature for the reason that ordinarily it is desired to have a repeated dropping ofthe punch to cut a slot for the shortest note. That is to say, each punching operation is ordinarily effected by numerous strokes of a punch. If the-rods were cylindrical the front arms of the levers when being raised would slowly slide off the same instead of suddenly dropping. Furthermore, the rods would have to raise the front arms of thelevers 28 a further distance than when the rods are semi-cylindrical. It is to be noted that only a small portion of this semi-cylindrical surface contacts with thelever and that in the instance shown the semi-cylindrical form serves to secure a desired strength and rigidity of the rods.

The paper feeding mechanism-Underneath the floor or platform 8 two braces 64 are suitably fixed to standards 9 and' 10 (see Figs. 5 and 6). 'To the standards 9 a paper roller shaft 65 is, in the present instance, rotatably mounted where the braces 64 meet the standards 9. Intermediatethe standards 9 and 10 an idle paper roller shaft 66 is rotatably secured between the braces 64. The shaft 65 at one end projects outside of the standard 9, preferably at the end, where the gearing for the retracting mechanism is situated. On this projecting end 67 of the shaft 65 a pulley 68 is fixed to rotate with said shaft. Said pulley may be of any suitable dimensions, and, in 'the present instance, is shown as of greater diameter than the double pulley 62. The pulley 68 is adapted to have a belt or other means to connect it with pulley 62, so that shaft 65 may be driven with the retracting mechanism. It is seen that in Fig. 6 the belt is mounted onto the idle shaft 66. The-free end of the paper is then taken and passed between the die support 21 and the series of guides 24, and then passed over and suitably secured to the driven shaft 65. It Wlll be seen that as the shaft 65 is rotated in a direction upward and away from-the perforating mechanism the paper will be drawn over the .die support 21 and spun onto the shaft 65. As the paper passes between the die support 21 and guides 24 during the operation of any of the punches 30 it will be perforated by such punches and will then be drawn from this position onto the shaft 65.

There are certain inherent advantages in winding the music sheet onto the shaft 65 which is being rotated at a constant, even rate of speed. Since the paper winding and drawing shaft 65 is rotated at a constant even rateof speed and the paper roll thereon is constantly increased in circumference by the added convolutions of the paper those portions of the paper sheet that are at first drawn onto the shaft 65 will'travel at a less speed than the portions following; the travel of the paper gradually increasing in speed as the winding progresses. The gradual increase in speed of the paper sheet as it is being wound uphas an effect on the number of cuts which it receives from the punches 30 during the time of any given note. As is common in music perforating machines the longer slots in the paper represent the more sustained notes; and each being formed not by a cut, but by repeated rapid operation of a punch mechanism, it will be seen that if the punching is effected when the paper is moving at a low rate of speed the slots representing the sustained or longer notes will be shorter than if the punching were effected when the paper is moving at a higher rate of speed, since in the former case a less surface will travel under the punches in a given time than in the latter case. This variation in the slots is of advantage during reproduction of the music because the driven roll of the piano player is the one that winds up the paper. The driven shaft in the piano player may therefore be driven at a constant even rate of speed, and the music reproduced from the rolls perforated by this machine will correspond to the original production throughout without requiring an attendant to regulate the speed of the piano player. That is to say by drawing the paper through the per orator and likewise drawing it through the player by a roller of the same diameter and speed, the same time will be given each note at its reproduction that was given it at the original performance. The positive retracting mechanism provided by this invention absolutely avoids any tearing of the sheet by the punch since it does not permit the punch to lag. w

The switch mechanisms-For each key 5 'of the piano 1 there'is provided a corresponding punch 30 in the perforator, and

each key and its punch are so connected that when any key is played, its corresponding punch 30 will operate; For. this purpose magnetic coils andsuitable switch mechanisms therefor are connected to the piano actions respectively to control the punches respectively. T o the front side of the supporting bar 71 of the piano action (see Figs.

2 and 3) a lever 72 is pivoted having its free arm extending upwardly. To normally retain this lever 72 away from the supporting bar 71 a straight spring 73 is provided. Near the upper end of the sticker 7 1 facing rearwardly is provided a block 75 which is preferably of the combination shown, that is, has an inclined lower surface 76 of about .,60 inclination from the sticker 7-l, an upper surface 77 also preferably inclined and a third surface 78 extending from the upper to the lower surface and being at an inclination of about 30 to the sticker 74. To the upper free arm of the lever 72 is pivoted what for convenience will be designated as a bifurcated lever .79 having a bifurcated front portion 80 which is in front of the pivotal connection. The bifurcated end 80 is adapted to cotiperate with the block 75, normally gripping said block when the corresponding key 5' is not depressed. To maintain the lever 72 at the proper angle from the sticker 74, when the lever is at rest, an adjusting pin 81 is provided passed .through the sticker and abutting against the front surface of the lever 72.

lower surface 76 when the key 5 is not played. The inclinations of the surfaces of the block 75 are such that when the piano key is depressed the upper surface 77 will impinge against the upper projection of the bifurcated end 80 and will rock the rear arm of the bifurcated lever 79 downward, and when the key is released and the bifurcated end returns to the block 75 the lower surface 7 6 will engage the lower projection to rock the rear arm of the lever 79 upward. On the rear side of the supporting bar 71 is provided a pair of electric contacting spring members 82, in the present instance, made of copper. On the upper side of the supporting bar 71 is provided a switch lever support 83 at the upper end of which is pivoted a lever 84, being an electric knife contactin'g member of sufficient length tobe operated to pass between the spring members 82 to complete an electric circuit. At

the middle of this knife member 84 a link 85 is provided. To connect this knife member 84 with the bifurcated lever 79 the operative connection is such that when a corresponding key 5 is depressed the block 75 as already stated will rock the rear arm of the bifurcated lever 79 downward. When the rear arm of the bifurcated lever 79 moves downward it will thrust the knife member 84 in between the spring members 82 to complete an electric circuit. By suitable wire'connections 2, 3, and battery 86 this switch is connected to a magnetic coil 70, so that such coil will be energized when the piano key 5 is depressed. The mag netic coil 70 is provided with a pivoted armature 87 which will be drawn to it whenever the magnetic coil is energized. This armature is connected to the upper arm of the catch lever 46 by any suitable means as a wire link 88 so that when the coil is energized the armature will draw the upper arm of the catch lever 46 rearwardly or away from the perforator, thus releasing the reararm of the punch lever 28, and thereby allowing the spring impelled punch 30 to perforate the sheet which is being drawn over the female die support 21. Obviously, so long as the key 5 is depressed thus energizing a magnetic coil 70 the levers 28will be released to operate the punch and instantly thereafter the punch will be forced downward by the tension spring 37 and-- Withdrawn by semi cylindrical rod 57 again thrust downward by the spring 37, and this rocking motion continued until the piano key is again released. Eighty-eight magnetic coils corresponding to the eighty-eight keys are situated on the platform 8 of the perforator. These may be arranged in any suitable manner. In the drawings they are shown as arranged in rows running from front to rear, four magnetic coils to a row, which coils are in staggered relation to one another to permit the free movement of the link connecting the armature with the catch lever.

To form a slot that would reproduce a sustained note made by holding the piano pedal down, even after releasing the key, a novel arrangement is provided. An extension 89 is secured to the lower end of the damper rod 90 and has a pin 91 formed on one side of its lower end in position to cooperate with a hook 92 on the lower side of the rear link of the bifurcated lever 79. Thus, after the key has been depressed to complete an electric circuit the loud piano pedal 93 is depressed to operate the damper bar 94 to hold the damper rod and its connected damper 95 from the string 96 of the piano and by means of this hook 92 and pin 91 the damper bar will maintainthe knife contacting member 84 between the spring members 82 until the pedal is again released, irrespective of Whether the key 5 is released or not. This arrangement also indirectly permits producing the so-called thundering effect. If the pedal 93 is first depressed to operate the damper rod 90 to remove the damper 95 from the string 96 the key 5 may be repeatedly depressed and released and with it the electric circuit made and broken. Thus, on the paper record means may be provided whereby to indicate that a pedal of the piano player is to be used during this interval, or else automatic means may be provided to automatically engage the pedal during this interval on the piano player on which the music is to be reproduced.

Obviously, certain changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general scope of the invention.

From the foregoing it is seen that in practical operation the pianist will manipulate the keys 5 of the piano to play any musical composition to record the same. Supposing, for instance that the pianist strikes a key 5 and does not hold the key down but immediately releases it, the note will be sounded by the string 96 through the medium of the piano action in the manner well understood in the art, thereby momentarily raising the damper 95 from the string, and the sticker 74 of Said action simultaneously actuates the switch lever 79 to close the electric circuit and thereby actuate the appropriate armature 87 to retract the catch lever 47, thereby releasing the punch supporting lever 28 to allow'the spring 37 to force the punch 30 through the recording strip 69. Upon release of the key 5 the switch will be opened-by the force of the spring 73, but during the short interval of time between the closing and opening of the switch the bars 57 will come into action one the length of said slot relative to the rate of travel of the strip 69 representing a damped note. For convenience let'us suppose that the strip 69 is traveling at the rate of five feet per minute which is about three and onehalf feet slower than'in the ordinary piano player, and suppose the retracting mechanismis operating at such speed as to alternately retract and release the punches fiftytwo times per second. thus in this instance punching the strip at'the rate of fifty-two times in a length of one inch. Now supposing the punches are three one hundredths of an inch in diameter, it is seen that the punch at each successive stroke will overlap the preceding stroke by one hundred sixty-eight ten thousandths of an inch. Now the maximum speed at which a piano action can be tion naturally follows that there actually occurs a lap of sixteen one thousandths of an inch of the punch, and as this lap is more than half of the diameter of the punch, it is clear that such lap is ample to cut a straight slot, even when cylindrical punches are employed.

From the foregoing it is obvious that the recording strip can be run at a much slower rate of speed than heretofore, so that the amount of music recorded thereon is maximized, for the slower the strip travels and the quicker the punches act, the greater the number of notes that can be recorded per lineal unit of the strip.

The foregoing results can only be obtained by reason of the provlsion made for positively retracting the punches since more or less sticking of the punches in the dies results where only springs are employed to retract the punches. It is now evident that some'of the objects and advantages of my invention are in a great measure due to the positive retraction of the punches.

It follows from the foregoing that if the pianist depresses the key 5 the recorded slot will be accordingly lengthened according to the interval of time that the key is depressed, thus producing a more or less sustained note,-but the sounding length of said note is limited owing to the fact that the pianist must strike another key with the same finger that he has used in the operation just described. It frequently happens in the rendition of musical compositions that the pianist desires to sustain a note for a greater interval of time than is possible by holding down the key owing to the necessity of striking another key with the same finger and supposing now that the pianist wishes to record a sustained note while employing his fingers in recording other notes, the pianist willfirst strike the key 5, thereby sounding the note and closing the switch as before, he will then depress the pedal 93 to hold the ,pin 91 inthe path of the hook 92 and so long as he holds the pedal down the pin 91 will engage the hook 92 to hold the switch closed to thereby cut a slot in the record strip for a longer interval of time than would be possible with the manipulation of the key alone when the fingers must be used elsewhere, and it is particularly noted that the pianist hears what he is recording and recordswhat he'hears. thus doing away in a large measure with the mechanical effect always present in musical reproduction by player pianos.

From the foregoing it is clear that I provide means operatable independent of the keys of the piano and operatable by the pedal to record a sustained-note.

Having thus described my invention I claim 1. In a perforating machine for music records, the combination of, a frame, two members mounted in the frame and having a. series of perforations in each-in alinement with each other, punches to operate through the perforations of one member and into the perforations of the other member to perforate a strip of paper while it is being passed between, the two perforated members, and actuating means for said punches, said actuating means comprising levers of the first class, said punches being fixed to one of the arms .of said levers, catch means for maintaining said punches in retracted position, and make-and-break devices for withdrawing said catch means to permit said punches to be actuated.

2. In a perforating machine of the class described, the combination of a frame, a rod mounted in said frame, levers fulcrumed to said rod, punches fixed to one of the arms of said levers, actuating means to depress one of said punches when a key of the piano is depressed, and means for retracting said punches, said means comprising a shaft retatably mounted in said frame and provided with a series of rods running parallel with the shaft and mounted on said shaft in a circle concentric with the shaft, said rods being adapted to retract said punch as the shaft is rotated.

3. In a perforating machine for recording music on a paper strip, the combination of a frame, a bar mounted in said frame, levers fulcrumed to said bar, punches fixed to one of the arms of said levers, actuating means for operating said punches to perforate the strip of paper, and means for retracting said punches, said retracting means comprising a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, a series of rods running parallel to said shaft and mounted in a circle concentric with the shaft, said SBIlQSr-Qf rods being semi-cylindrical and adaptediito retract the punches as the shaft is rotated and so positioned that the cylindrical. surface will first strike the end of the arms to which the punches are tion of a frame, a rod mounted in said frame,

levers fulcrumed to said 'rod, punches fixed to one of the arms of the levers to perforate,

a plate vertically mounted in said frame having upwardly opening slots in which the free arms of said levers cooperate, tension springs connecting these free arms with projections mounted above them and adapted normally to hold said free arms in raised position, catch members mounted in said frame, catches fixed to said rods and adapted to engage the free arms of said levers when in lowered position, and make-andbreak means operatively connected with said catches to release one of said free arms when a key of the piano is depressed thereby permitting the corresponding punch armof the lever to drop and operate.

5. In a perforating machine for recording the music from a piano, the combination with the keys of a piano, of a series of punches for perforating a strip of paper, said punches being normally maintained in an idle position, actuating means to operate said punches, and electric switches provided for the keys, said switches magnetically releasing the punches corresponding to the keys being depressed to permit such punches to be actuated.

6. In a perforating machine for recording music from a piano, the combination of a series of punches corresponding with the keys of the piano, actuating means to actuate a punch as the corresponding key is depressed, said actuating means comprising a switch, and means for operating said switch, said means comprising an arm fixed to the lower end of a damper, a second arm pivoted below and to one side of said fixed arm, a lever pivoted to the upper end of said pivoted arm, a contact member connected to said pivoted lever and adapted to cooperate with the switch, and means attached to the sticker of the piano actionadapted to engage the pivoted lever when the key is depressed to move said contact member to operate the switch.

7'. In a perforating machine for record ing music from a piano, the combination of v a frame, perforating mechanism operatively mounted in said frame to perforate a strip of paper recording the notes as the piano is played, two rollers mounted in the lower part of said frame and adapted to draw a strip of paper from one to the other and to pull the same through the perforating mechanism while being so drawn, said other roller being actuated to rotate at a constant equal rate of speed whereby to draw said paper from said roller at a gradually increasing rate of speed.

8. In a perforating machine for recording music from a piano, the combination of a series of punches corresponding with the keys of the piano, actuating means to actuate the punch as the corresponding key is. depressed, means for retracting said punch, saidretracting means comprising a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, a series of rods running parallel to said shaft and mounted in a circle concentric with the shaft, said series of rods being semi-cylindrical and adapted to retract the actuated punch as the shaft is rotated; and so positioned that i i the cylindrical surface will first strike one end of the arms to which the punch 1s fixed and as the rod rises with the rotation of the.

ward and away from the punch mechanism.

9. In a perforating machine for'recording music from a piano, the combination of a plurality of perforating mechanisms, one operatively connected with each key of the piano, a switch mechanism to control sald connection comprising an actuating mechanism to connect the key to a corresponding string, said actuating mechanism having a damper and a sticker, a lever pivotally mounted, a knife switch operatively connected to the free end of said lever, and means for operatively connecting said lever to the sticker so that the lever is operated simultaneously with the sticker to operate the switch.

10. In a perforating machine for recording music from a piano, the combination of a plurality of perforating mechanisms, one operatively connected with the operating mechanism of each piano string, a switch mechanism to control said operative connection, said actuating mechanism having a damper and a sticker, a lever pivotally mounted, a second lever pivotally connected to the free end of said first-mentioned lever, a knife switch operatively connected to the arm of said second lever, said second lever having a bifurcated end, a block on the sticker of said actuating mechanism to engage the bifurcated end of said second lever when the actuating mechanism is operated thereby to operate the switch.

11. In a perforating machine for recording music from a piano, the combination of a plurality of perforating mechanisms, one operatively connected with the actuating mechanism of each string, a switch mechanism to control said connection, said actuating mechanism having a damper rod and a sticker, a lever pivotally mounted, a second lever pivotally connected to the free end of said first-mentioned lever, a knife switch operatively connected to the arm of said second'lever, said second lever having a bifurcated end, a block on the sticker of said actuating mechanism to' engage the bifurcated end of said second lever when the actuating mechanism is operated thereby to operate the switch, and an extension on said damper rod toconnect with said second lever to more securely operate the switch.

12. In a perforating machine for recording music from a piano, the combination of a frame, perforating mechanism operatively mounted in said frame .to perforate a strip of paper recording notes as the piano played, two rollers mounted in the lower part of said frame and adapted to feed a strip of paper from one to the other and to,

pass the same mechanism while being so fed, and means for rotating one of said rollers at a constant equal rate of speed to draw the paper through the perforating mechanism at a gradually increasing rate of spee 13. In a perforating machine, the combination of a series of punches for perforating a strip of paper normally maintained in idle position, actuating means to operate said punches as the keys of the piano are depressed, and rotating means provided with peripherally spaced retractors for positively retracting each punch immediately after it has been operated.

14. In a perforating machine, the combination of a frame, a rod mounted in said frame, forating punches fixed to one of the arms of the levers, a second rod mounted in said frame above said first-mentioned rod, projections pivotally mounted on said rod, tension. springs connecting the free arms of forating mechanisms as keys are depressed, and retracting means to said levers wlth said projections, adjusting means for changing the relative position of said projections to adjust the tension of said springs, catch members pivotally mounted in said frame and adaptedto engage the through the perforating levers fulcrumed to said rod, perfree arms of said levers when in lowered position, and make-and-break means operatively connected with said catch arms to release one of said free arms whena key of the piano is depressed, thereby permitting the corresponding punch arm of the lever to drop and operate.

15. In a perforating machine, the combination of a plurality of perforating mechanisms, one operatively connected with each key of the piano, said perforating mechanisms being normally maintained in idle position, and magnetic means operatively connected with each perforating mechanism to release the same to operate whenever a corresponding key of the piano is depressed.

16. In a perforating machine, the combiidle position to operate whenever a key 'of' the piano is depressed, and retracting means continually m'ov1ng to retract said perforating mechanisms as soon as they have been released, and a catch mechanism to grip said perforating mechanisms as soon as they have been retracted by the retracting means. 17. In a perforating machine, the combiare released to drop, means for'magnetically releasing said perforating mechanisms whenever the corresponding keys on the piano are depressed, means for raising said perforating mechanisms whenever released, and means for gripping said perforating mechanisms as soon as raised and retain them in raised position.

18. In a perforating machine, the combination of a plurality of perforating mechanisms, catch means for normally maintaining said perforating mechanisms in raised position, magnetic means for releasing said catch means whenever the corresponding keys of the piano are depressed to allow such perforating mechanisms to drop and perforate, and means for raising said perforating mechanisms as soon as dropped, said catch means adapted to grip said perforating mechanisms whenever so raised and thereupon maintain the gripping mechanisms in such raised position until again released.

19. In a perforating machine, the combination of a plurality of perforating mechanisms, actuating means to actuate the perthe corresponding raise said perforating mechanisms after having been actuated, said retracting means comprising a shaft contlnually rotating, a

'series of rods running parallel to said shaft and mounted in a circle concentric with the shaft to rotate with said shaft, said'series of rods being semi-cylindrical, the semi-cylindrical rods being so positioned that their semi-cylindrical surfaces will first strike the operating mechanisms to raise them, the plane surfaces of the semi-cylindrical rods next coming into play to permit the perforating mechanisms to suddenly drop.

20. In a' perforating machine, the combination of a plurality of perforating mechanisms, actuating means to actuate the perforating mechanisms as corresponding keys are depressed, retracting means for returning said perforating mechanisms into idle position, said retracting means comprising a shaft continually rotated in a direction upward and away from theperforating mechanisms, a series of rods running parallel to saidshaft and mounted in a circle concentric with theshaft to rotate with said shaft, said series-of rods being semi-cylindrical, each .semrpylindrical rod being so positioned that while it is rising witli the-rotation of 'said shaft, its cylindrical surface will first strike theperforating-'-mechanismsandas it rises the plane surface wlll'nextcome into play nation of a plurality of perforating meclianisms normally retained in a raised idle posltion and adapted to perforate when they nation of a frame, a

to permit the perforatingImcchanisms suddenly to drop.- I

21. Ina perforatingmachine, the. combibar mounted in said framc,'levers having-an opei'i'ing of arc outline to fit around said bar, said opening facing upward; a punch fixed to one arm of sald lever and adapted to perforate down- Ward, a tension spring connected to the other arm of said lever to draw the same upward, and catch means to normally maintain the punch arm in raised position, and means for releasing said catch means to permit the punch to drop and perforate.

22. In a perforating machine, the combination of a frame, a rod mounted in said frame, levers fulcrumed to said rod, one of the arms of said levers being of beveled conformation, levers having a dove-tail recess to slide onto said beveledarm, and actuating means connected to the other arm of said levers to actuate thepunches when corresponding keys of' the piano are depressed.

23. .In a perforating machine, the combi-v nation of a series of perforators, catch.

means to normally retain said perforators in raised position, magnetic means adapted to withdraw said catch means to permit the perforators to drop and to perforate, retracting means to raise said perforators as soon as dropped, said retracting means continually rotating so that when the magnetic means operates to withdraw the catch means v for any length of time the retracting means will cooperate with said perforators to form a series of successive perforations to produce a slot.

24. In a perforating machine for recording music from a piano, the combination of a series of perforatingimechanisms, one'operatively connected with each key of the piano, a switch mechanism to control said operative connection comprising an actuating mechanism to connect the key to a corresponding string, said actuating mechanism havinga damper and a sticker pivotally mounted, a lever pivotally mounted, a knife switchoperatively connected to the free end ofthe said lever, a damper rodto operate said damper, and means for o eratively connectin said lever to the stic er so that the lever 1s operated simultaneously with the sticker to operate the switch but independently of the damper.

25. In a perforating machine, the combination of perforating mechanisms, one o eratively connected with each key of t ,e

piano, a' switch mechanism to control said connection comprising an actuating mecha nism to connect the keyf to a corresponding piano string, said actuating mechanism having a damper, a lever pivotally mounted, a

second lever pivotally connected to the free end of said first-mentioned lever, a knife switch operatively connected to the armof said second lever, said second lever'havin a bifurcated end, a block on the sticker o said actuating; mechanism to engage the b1- furcated end of said second lever when the actuating mechanism is operated, thereby to operate the switch; and a damper bar operadamper removed from the piano string, a

tension spring on said damper to connect with said second lever so that said damper bar may operate to maintain the switch in contact.

26. In a perforating machine, the combination of perforating mechanisms, one operatively connected with each key of the piano, a switch mechanism to control said connection comprising an actuating mechanism to connect the key to the corresponding piano string, a damper, a damper bar adapted to operate said damper, and connecting means to maintain the switch mechanism in contact by actuating the damper bar to actuate the damper.

27. In a perforating machine for music records, the combination of a frame, a plurality of members mounted in said frame and having a series of perforations in each in alinement with each other, punches to operate in said alined perforations to perforate. a strip of paper while it is being assed between two of said perforated memers, levers operatively mounted in said frame, said punches being fixed to one of the arms of said levers, and actuating means connected to the other arms-of said levers to operate the levers whencorresponding keys of the piano are depressed.

28. In an apparatus of the class described for recording music from a piano, thecombination with a series of. perforating mechanisms, keys of a piano, an operative connectron between each key and a perforating mechanism, a switch mechanism to control said operative connection, strings of the piano, an actuating mechanism to connect each key to a correspondlng string, said ac-- tuating mechanism having a sticker pivotally mounted, said switch mechanism comprising a lever pivotally mounted, a knife operatively connected to the free end of said lever, spring members to contact with said knife, and means for operati-vely connecting said lever to the sticker so that the lever is operated simultaneously with the sticker to operate the switch.

29. In a perforating machine, the combination of a plurality of perforating mechanisms normally maintained in a raised idle position and adapted to perforate when they are released to drop, means for magnetically releasing said perforating mechanismswhenever the corresponding keys on the piano are depressed, retracting meansfor raising said perforating mechanisms whenever released, and adjusting means to adjust the retracting means so as to raise the perforating mechanisms the proper distance.

30. In a perforating machine, the combination with a plurality of perforating mechanismsnormally maintained in a raised idle position and adapted to perforate when they 1 arms and said arms to be ad ustedto raise the punches are released to drop,'retracting" means forraising said perforating mechanisms whenever released, and adjusting means for ad-;

justing said retracting meansto raise the perforating mechanisms the roper distance.

31. In a perforating mach1ne, of the class described, the combination with a framey'of punches operatively mounted in said frame,

actuating means fordepressing said punches,

rotating. means for retracting said punches? after having been depressed, and adjijting means for adjusting said retracting'imean to retract said punches the proper distances 32. In a perforating machine of the-class described, the combination with a frame, of v punches operatively mounted in said frame,

actuating means for depressingsaid punches,

arms adjustably secured to said frame so that their free ends may be raised or lowered, and rotating means secured to said arms at their free ends to be adjusted by said arms, said rotating means serving to retract said punches after having been depressed and being adjustable by said arms to raise the punches the proper distance.

' 33. In a perforating machine of the class described, the combination with a frame, of punches operati-vely mounted in said frame,

actuating means for actuating said punches,

retracting means for retracting said punches after having been actuated, and adjusting means for-adjustin said retracting means to retract'the punc es the proper'distance, said ad usting means comprising arms se-.

cured to said frame so that. their free ends may be raised and lowered, the retracting means bein secured to the free ends of said ing raised and lowered with after having been actuated, and adjusting means for adjusting said retracting means to retract the punches the proper distance, said adjusting means comprising arms secured to said frame at one point so that their free ends may be adjusted about said point, the retracting means being secured to the free ends of said arms and being-raised and lowered with said arms to be adjusted to raise the punches the proper distance. 35. In a perforating machine for recording music from a piano, the combination with a series of perforating mechanisms, of key-actuating means of a piano, connecting means to actuate a perforating mechanism when a corresponding key-actuatingmeans is operated, said connecting means having a switch lever to be operated .whenever a key is depressed and again released, and .a switch operatively connected to said switchlever so that the lever-willoperate the switch to make a. contact whenakey is depressedand break av contact when alley is released. 36. In'i'ap rforating-machinefor record? music: fi'om a-i piano, the" combination with {a series of perferatingmechamsms; of

key actuating means of apianql connecting switch to make a contact with an when akey is-depressed andhreak' "a contact when the key is released; of a' damper rod, and connecting -means adapted to connect the damper; rod to the switch lever when both are operated at the same time, said damper rod as long as it is actuated when once con- .nected to the switch lever will maintain said switch lever in contact making position even when the corresponding key is released.

Y 37. In a perforating machine of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a member mounted in said frame and provided with a series of perforations, .punches to operate in said, perforations, a series of punch guides under said perforated memher, one guide for each'punch and provided with an opening in alinement with each perforation, said-punch guides being adjustable, 3. bar positioned under'said punch guides and provided with female dies to receive the cutting ends of said punches when they are actuated, actuating'means for actuating said punches, and means for drawing the paper to be perforated over said bar.

38. In a perforating machine of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a series of plates provided with perforations and mounted in said frameypunches mounted to operate in the perforations of said plates, a cylindrical bar positioned under said punches and provided witha series of female dies to receive the cutting endsof said punches when actuated, actuating means for actuatin said punches, and

adjustable means for a usting said plates into alinement with 'said female vdies.

39.. In a perforating machine, the combination with a frame, of a bar mounted in said frame, levers having an opening of arc outline to fit around said bar, said opening facing upward, spacers between each two levers to keep the same in alinement and to space the levers from one another, punches fixed to one of the armsof said levers and adapted to perforate downward, tension sprin connected to the other of the arms of said levers to' draw the same upward, and means for raising said punches after havingI been actuated.

46,11 a perforating machine, the com- "means to actuate a perforating: when a. corresponding key-actuating 1 means "is operated-, the said connecting means hav ;ing a switch lever to be operated whenever a key is depressed and again "relea ed-e a" 'witch- 'operatii ely saidswitch lever; so" thatf-their;lever 'wilifoperate'i tHeing means for adjusting said actuating' means, and retracting means for retracting said punches after having been actuated.

n 41. In a perforating machine, the combination with a frame, of a bar mounted in said frame, levers having an opening of arc outline to fit around said bar, said opening facing upward, spacers between each two levers to maintain the same in alinement and space thelevers from one another, punches fixed to One of the arms of said levers, actuating means connected to the other of the arms of sa idlevers, and means for retracting said punches after having been actuated.

42. An apparatus of the character described comprising keys, means operatably connected to the keys to record strokes on said keys, and means independent of the keys to effect continuation of the recording of such strokes when the keys are released.

43. An apparatus of the character described comprising keys, means operatably connected to the keys to record strokes made on said keys, a pedal, and means operatably connected to the pedal to effect continuation of the recording of such strokes when the keys are released.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 11th day of October, 1913.

EDWARD C. WEISSMILLER. In presence of- JAMES R. TOWNSEND, GUs'rAv DREWS. 

